Louisiana's Second Chance reentry events are designed to give returning citizens — people leaving incarceration or navigating life after a criminal record — direct, same-day access to the agencies and programs that may help them get back on their feet. If you or someone you love is looking for job training, food assistance, housing support, or help clearing barriers to employment, these statewide April events may be one of the most efficient ways to explore what programs may be available to you.
What Are Louisiana's Second Chance Events?
Organized through a collaboration of Louisiana state agencies — including the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC), the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), and the Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPSC) — Second Chance events are one-stop reentry fairs held at locations across the state. The goal is to reduce the logistical barriers that often prevent returning citizens from accessing services they may be eligible for.
At these events, attendees may be able to:
- Meet with workforce development specialists about job placement and vocational training
- Get screened for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) food benefits
- Learn about Medicaid health coverage options
- Connect with housing navigators about transitional and permanent housing programs
- Speak with legal aid representatives about expungement and record-clearing
- Obtain or replace state-issued identification documents
These events are free and open to anyone with a criminal record, including people currently on probation or parole, as well as family members supporting a returning citizen.
Data Snapshot
Reentry support programs serve a significant population in Louisiana. According to the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics, Louisiana has historically had one of the highest incarceration rates in the country. As of the most recent federal reporting available via USASpending.gov, Louisiana received approximately $8.4 million in Second Chance Act grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) across multiple grant cycles — funding that supports reentry programming, transitional housing, and workforce services for people leaving incarceration (source: https://www.usaspending.gov).
Nationally, the Second Chance Act has funded more than 1,000 grantees since 2009, serving hundreds of thousands of individuals returning from federal, state, and local facilities. Recidivism research consistently shows that access to stable employment and benefits within the first 30–90 days of release is among the strongest predictors of long-term success.
Who Can Attend and Who These Events Are For
These events are specifically designed for:
- People recently released from state or local incarceration
- Individuals on probation or parole who need help accessing services
- People with older convictions who are still facing employment or housing barriers
- Family members helping a loved one navigate reentry
You do not need to be currently involved in the justice system to attend. If you have a record and are struggling to access employment or benefits, these events may be a useful starting point.
What Programs May Be Available to Returning Citizens in Louisiana
SNAP Food Assistance
Louisiana has opted out of the federal lifetime SNAP ban for people with drug felony convictions, meaning most returning citizens in Louisiana may be eligible to apply for SNAP food benefits. Eligibility is generally based on household income (typically at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level) and household size. Benefit amounts vary by household size and income.
At Second Chance events, DCFS representatives may be able to pre-screen you for SNAP on-site. You can also apply year-round at Louisiana DCFS or through the USDA SNAP program page.
Medicaid Health Coverage
Louisiana expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, which means many low-income adults — including returning citizens — may be eligible for Medicaid coverage regardless of their conviction history. Eligibility is generally available to adults with incomes at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Note: Medicaid coverage is typically suspended (not terminated) during incarceration in Louisiana, which means some individuals may be able to have their coverage reinstated quickly after release rather than starting a new application from scratch.
Workforce Development and Job Training
The Louisiana Workforce Commission administers several federally funded job training programs that returning citizens may be able to access, including:
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I programs: Offer occupational skills training, on-the-job training, and job placement services. Eligibility is based on employment barriers, which explicitly include justice involvement.
- Registered Apprenticeship programs: Trade-based training with paid wages during the learning period.
- Louisiana's Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO): A federally supported initiative specifically targeting returning citizens for subsidized employment.
At Second Chance events, LWC American Job Center staff are typically present and can connect you with local workforce programs on the spot.
Transitional and Emergency Housing
Housing is one of the most significant barriers for returning citizens. At these events, you may be able to connect with:
- HUD-funded transitional housing programs operated by local nonprofits
- Continuum of Care (CoC) providers who serve people experiencing or at risk of homelessness
- Emergency rental assistance programs administered through local community action agencies
It's worth knowing that federally assisted public housing (Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher) has restrictions for people with certain felony convictions, particularly drug-related offenses. However, rules vary by local Public Housing Authority (PHA), and some PHAs have adopted more inclusive admissions policies. A housing navigator at the event can help you understand what may be available in your specific parish.
Legal Aid and Record Expungement
Many Second Chance events include legal aid clinics where attorneys or paralegals can advise you on Louisiana's expungement laws. Clearing eligible convictions from your record can significantly improve your access to employment and housing. Louisiana law allows expungement for certain misdemeanors and some felonies after a waiting period — a legal aid representative can help you determine if you may be eligible.
What to Bring to a Second Chance Event
Coming prepared can make a real difference in what you're able to accomplish at the event. Here's a practical checklist:
Identity and Legal Documents: - State-issued photo ID or driver's license (or documentation to obtain one) - Social Security card or proof of Social Security number - Birth certificate - Release paperwork, discharge papers, or supervision documentation - Any court documents related to your conviction(s)
Benefits and Financial Documents: - Proof of any current income (pay stubs, benefit letters) - Proof of address (utility bill, letter from a shelter or family member) - Information about household members if applying for family benefits
Employment Documents: - Any existing resume or work history information - Certificates from vocational or educational programs completed during incarceration
If you don't have all of these documents, attend anyway. Many Second Chance events include ID recovery assistance and can help you start the process of obtaining missing documents.
How to Find Second Chance Events Near You in Louisiana
Event locations and dates for April are being coordinated through the Louisiana Workforce Commission and the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. To find an event near you:
- Visit the Louisiana Workforce Commission website at www.laworks.net and look for reentry or Second Chance event listings.
- Contact your local American Job Center — LWC operates a network of job centers across Louisiana that can provide event schedules.
- Reach out to your parole or probation officer if you are currently under supervision — they often have direct information about upcoming events.
- Call 211 — Louisiana's 211 helpline connects callers to local social services and may have event information.
If You Can't Attend an Event
These events are valuable, but they are not the only path to accessing services. Many programs accept applications year-round:
- SNAP: Apply online through Louisiana DCFS or call 1-888-524-3578
- Medicaid: Apply through Louisiana Medicaid or via Healthcare.gov
- WIOA job training: Contact your nearest American Job Center at www.careeronestop.org
- Benefits.gov: Use the benefit finder tool at www.benefits.gov to identify programs you may be eligible for based on your situation
If you submit any form requesting information about benefits programs, please be aware that by doing so you may be consenting to be contacted by program representatives or partner organizations. Review any consent language carefully before submitting.
A Note on Benefit Eligibility and Criminal Records
Federal law restricts access to certain benefits for people with specific conviction types — particularly drug-related felonies — though many of these restrictions have been modified or eliminated at the state level. Louisiana has taken steps to restore access for many returning citizens, but the rules are complex and depend on your specific conviction, the program, and sometimes the county or parish where you live.
Never assume you are ineligible without checking. A benefits counselor or legal aid attorney at a Second Chance event — or through a local community organization — can help you understand what may be available to you based on your specific situation.
Program eligibility and availability vary by state. Not affiliated with any government agency.
Last reviewed: October 2026